JumpStart Guide
Beginner’s FAQ, An Coimisiún in America
Most of us didn’t spring into the world if Irish dance knowing "it all". In an attempt to soothe the minds of the ever-inquiring masses, this section asks: just what are you getting yourself into, anyways?
An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) is the oldest organization dedicated solely to the government and encouragement of Irish dancing. With sub-organizations already established throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, North America, and Australia and New Zealand, An Coimisiún has recently begun to reach into South Africa and Continental Europe. This FAQ covers the daily activities of its affiliated schools in North America.
Please note that this is a general overview of Irish dancing. As of right now it has a North American slant (based on NAFC and IDTANA rulings), but with the help of dancers around the world, I hope to create additional FAQs for dancers around the globe. (If you are interested in helping write a Beginner’s FAQ for another location, or have one on your website I could link to, please contact me!)
Also (and this is very important): each dance school has its own set of specific rules. I’ve tried to take care in pointing that out throughout this FAQ. You must abide first by the rules of your dance school; if you have questions about how certain things apply to you, be sure to ask your teacher.
You can also find another very well-done FAQ at Dancing in Eire.
The Questions
About the Dance. (Section Link.)
1. What is Irish dancing?
2. Where can I see Irish dancing?
3. Could you give an explanation of the types of dances?
4. Do you have to be Irish to learn Irish dancing?
5. Where/How can I learn Irish dancing?
6. How old should a child be to start Irish dance lessons?
7. I’m a teenager/adult, and I'd like to learn Irish dancing. Is this possible?
8. What in the world does T.C.R.G., feis, hornpipe, etc. mean?
Finding a School. (Section Link.)
1. Where could I find Irish dance lessons in my area?
2. How much will lessons cost?
3. What else should I be looking for in a dance school?
4. I don’t have a dance teacher in my area, but I really want to learn! What are my options?
First Lessons. (Section Link.)
1. What should I wear to dance class?
2. Do I need Irish dancing shoes right away?
3. What shoes do you start learning to dance in first?
4. What should I expect to learn at my first lesson?
5. When will I get to learn hardshoe dances?
Practicing. (Section Link.)
1. How often should I practice?
2. What should I be practicing?
3. What kind of floor should I practice on? Should I build a stage?
4. What kind of music do you recommend practicing to?
Competitions. (Section Link.)
1. Do I have to compete?
2. When do I get to start competing?
3. What should I wear at a feis?
4. Where can I find out about competitions in my area?
Performances. (Section Link.)
1. Do I have to perform?
2. When do I get to perform?
Shoes and Costuming. (Section Link.)
1. What’s so special about Irish dancing shoes? Can’t I just wear ballet slippers and tap shoes?
2. Do I need Irish dancing shoes right away?
3. What shoes do you start learning to dance in first?
4. Do you really need an expensive costume to dance?
The Online Community. (Section Link.)
1. Are there more websites like Diochra.com for me to browse through?
2. I'd like to find other dancers/parents/dressmakers to talk to online. How do I do that?
3. What are some general "netiquette" rules I should follow while conversing with other people on the internet?
About the Dance
1. What is Irish dancing?
Irish dancing is the traditional folk dance of Ireland. Unlike many folk dances, however, it is a constantly evolving art, and the style is different today even compared to the style of twenty years ago.
Modern Irish dancing is characterized by good carriage with a straight back, chin level, shoulders back and arms held straight at the sides, turned-out and crossed feet, tight-together knees, and squared hips.
2. Where can I see Irish dancing?
Though in the world of Irish dancing "March Madness" refers to the rash of Saint Patrick’s Day performances happening each March, many dancers perform throughout the year. It is best to get in contact with a local dance school, or keep an eye out in your local theater listings for a touring dance troupe.
3. Could you give an explanation of the types of dances?
Most schools teach two styles of Irish dancing: step (solo) and ceili (“kay-lee,” group) dancing. Step dancing consists of softshoe and hardshoe dances; ceili dancing is all softshoe. Students should be prepared to master softshoe basics before moving on to hardshoe.
In solo dancing, dance “steps” typically consist of eight or sixteen bars of music in a variety of time signatures and tempos. These steps are designed to be danced alone, though you may end up dancing them side-by-side with others (when danced in a show, this is often called a "step-about"). Each sixteen-bar step is made up of a “right” and “left” foot – each eight bars long. The following list explains the various types of solo dances.
The Light Jig
The light jig is a softshoe dance in 6/8 time, and is counted “and one-two-three, and two-two-three,” and so forth. Very basic beginning steps do not often travel around the stage; more advanced steps may travel. The light jig often begins with “sink and grind,” also called "down-outs" or "the basic," and ends with the “rise and grind/rising step,” or "finish." This is a bouncy, yet well-defined dance. As with all dances, technique is of the utmost importance.The Reel
The reel is a softshoe dance in 4/4 time, and is counted “and one-two-three, and two-two-three,” and so forth. Unlike the jig, this is definitely a traveling dance. Movements within steps often consist of “sevens” and “threes” for beginners; for more advanced dancers, "threes" graduate to "leap-two-threes". It is an energetic, sharp, athletic dance.The Slip Jig
The slip jig is a softshoe dance in 9/8 time, a signature that I have only found in the traditional dances of Ireland, Scotland (where it appears as the Scottish Lilt) and Turkey (where it is called a karsilama). Dancers count it, “and one two-three four-five, and two two-three four-five,” and so forth. This dance also travels, and is graceful and controlled, often called the “ballet” of Irish dance. The beginning slip jig is occasionally taught to both females and males, but most Coimisiún and Comhdháil boys do not dance it above this level. In the Western Region of the United States, Coimisiún boys can compete in the slip jig - this is unusual in other NAFC U.S. regions.The Single Jig
Though normally only taught in Coimisiún beginner levels, the single jig is a slight variation on 6/8 time. Unfortunately, the single jig as both a tune and a dance is not usually being passed on in modern times. The most characteristic movement to the single jig is called “complicated sevens”. It is a bouncy, defined dance that goes quite well to “Pop Goes the Weasel”!The Treble Jig
This is a hardshoe dance in 6/8 time, like the light jig – but is danced at a slower tempo. There are two kinds of treble jigs: the beginner’s “fast” or "traditional" speed (a bit slower than the light jig) and the more advanced “slow” or "non-traditional" speed (quite a bit slower than a light jig, which allows for trickier movements). It normally travels, and is a perky and rhythmic dance.The Hornpipe
This is a hardshoe dance in 2/4 or 4/4 time. Like the treble jig, it has a “fast” and “slow” speed. It is an incredibly rhythmic, strong dance.The Treble Reel
This is a fun “performance” hardshoe dance that is simple to learn – but brings down the house every time! It is in 4/4 time, and has a faster tempo than a softshoe reel.Traditional Set Dances
Once a dancer becomes proficient in fast-speed hardshoe, they may get the chance to learn traditional set dances. While stylistic differences occur in different regions throughout history, these dances have survived the years basically unchanged. They are great fun to dance, and give a rare enjoyment: dancers from all around the globe dance the same basic steps. Each dance also has specific music it is set to (hence the term "set dance," not to be confused with group set dancing, which Diochra.com does not cover) such at "Saint Patrick’s Day," "The Garden of Daisies," and "The White Blanket."Non-Traditional/Choreographed Set Dances
These dances are much like traditional set dances as they are choreographed to set tunes prescribed by a governing organization, such as "The Storyteller" or "The Blackthorn Stick." However, they are of a slower pace and usually reserved for more advanced dancers. Each dance is normally composed for use in the teacher’s own school only. These dances are usually used in championship-level competitions at a feis, and as recall dances at regional or World-level Oireachtasi (major competitions).Ceili Dancing
Group dancing is fun and social, and can be a lot easier on the legs than solo dancing. Dancers use simple movements to make patterns on the floor; it is one of the fathers of American square dancing. There are two basic kinds of ceili dances: “progressive” dances that keep repeating, and “round” or “#-hand” dances that do not repeat (the “#” referring to a number). Different organizations usually have slightly different versions of ceili dances, and some figures (called choreographies in competition) are choreographed by a teacher and are only danced within that school.
I hope that was helpful!
4. Do you have to be Irish to learn Irish dancing?
Of course not! Non-Irish people have been Irish dancing even before the global popularity of Irish dancing hit in the mid-1990s.
5. Where/How can I learn Irish dancing?
Begin by looking for local schools through your area’s directory, or through, or through the school directory at The Irish Dance Place.
If there is not a teacher in your area, instructional videos are an option - though there is truly no substitute for a face-to-face teacher. I highly recommend Olive Hurley’s instructional videos for both solo and ceili dancing, though other videos can be found (such as those by Niall O'Leary or Colin Dunne - the latter which may not be for the faint of heart). These videos and more can be found at my favorite online shop for music and videos, The Celtic Merchant.
6. How old should a child be to start Irish dance lessons?
Check with the local school to see how old a teacher prefers his or her incoming students to be. Many dancers have begun as early as three or four, though some teachers prefer potential dancers to wait until five or six. Many schools have "tot" classes just for preschoolers.
As with many types of lessons, the appropriate age varies with each dancer. While some children may be able to behave and be by on their own by age four, others may still have a difficult time paying attention or practicing at age six or seven. Ability is dependant upon the personality of the child in question.
7. I’m a teenager/adult, and I'd like to learn Irish dancing. Is this possible?
In short, yes! I began dancing a month before my fifteenth birthday. Pay attention to age requirements the local schools have set; while some schools will be more than accomodating, other schools will not accept new students above a certain age, like 16 or 21. If you are a mid-to-older teen, you may be placed with children if the school does not have enough older students to warrant a separate teenage class, or does not have an adult program. Each school is different.
8. What in the world does T.C.R.G., feis, hornpipe, etc. mean?
Check out our JumpStart glossaries here.
Finding a School
1. Where could I find Irish dance lessons in my area?
Begin by looking for local schools through your area’s directory, or through the school directory at The Irish Dance Place.
2. How much will lessons cost?
This varies greatly. It’s best that you research various schools around you for the cost. Geographic location, rented or owned studios, and number of students play a great role in tuition costs. What is monthly for one school may cover two months for another, and vice versa.
3. What else should I be looking for in a dance school?
Regardless of affiliation, make sure your teacher has a strong background in Irish dancing - instead of learn how "to Riverdance" off of a video tape. ("Riverdancing" and "Irish tap" are not recognized as true dance forms.) Ask to sit in on a class, and take note of their school’s dancers: do they look relatively polished? Do they have proper turnout for the most part, and are their upper bodies steady when they dance?
Students joining An Coimisiún schools should note that they may change to a different An Coimisiún school within the first thirty days of lessons without having to serve a six-month suspension from competition. Even if you change schools after this, however, it is not typical for students to dance in a competition within this time.
Don’t be afraid to ask potential teachers about their dance background, organization affiliation, competitive and performance opportunities, any rules that you should be aware of (such as the above transfer rule), and anything else that you are specifically concerned with. They should be more than happy to answer your questions.
4. I don’t have a dance teacher in my area, but I really want to learn! What are my options?
If there is not a teacher in your area, instructional videos are an option - though there is truly no substitute for a face-to-face teacher. I highly recommend Olive Hurley’s instructional videos for both solo and ceili dancing, though other videos can be found (such as those by Niall O'Leary or Colin Dunne - the latter which may not be for the faint of heart). These videos and more can be found at my favorite online shop for music and videos, The Celtic Merchant.
Update: You'll also want to check out Jean Butler’s Irish Dance Masterclass, a fantastic video/DVD that deals with technique and strength instead of steps.
If there are teachers nearby but not close enough to warrant travelling to them, you may still want to contact them and show interest for your area. It may take gathering up enough people yourself, but if enough interest is shown, a teacher may test out the waters by holding temporary lessons or workshops in your area. (This being said, I’ve often traveled over an hour to my classes, and some die-hards have even traveled three hours or longer, or flown!)
First Lessons
1. What should I wear to dance class?
A t-shirt, shorts, socks and your dance shoes. Take off rings, necklaces, or dangling earrings! Anything that makes noise is going to be a distraction (including your mouth - keep quiet and pay attention!) and certain pieces of jewelry can be dangerous. Dangling earrings could be caught and ripped out, and rings pose a definite problem in the case of jammed fingers. Long hair should be pulled back off of your face.
Some schools have uniforms - typically shorts and a school t-shirt. Ask your teacher what s/he prefers.
2. Do I need Irish dancing shoes right away?
No - usually, one can learn in ballet/jazz shoes or soft sneakers (like Keds). Your teacher will tell you when Irish shoes are needed.
3. What shoes do you start learning to dance in first?
Softshoe should be taught first. The basics that you learn dancing the softshoe dances are very, very important, and often it’s better for a student to learn proper positioning without having to worry about the bulky hardshoes.
4. What should I expect to learn at my first lesson?
You'll likely learn either the beginners' reel or light jig, both softshoe dances. Typically, the light jig is learned first. Depending on how fast the class catches on, you could end up learning one, two, or even three steps - but one or two is the norm. It depends on your teacher.
5. When will I get to learn hardshoe dances?
The answer to this question depends on your teacher and how quickly you catch on - typically, six months to a year or more (a year or more being the norm). Younger (around 4 to 6 years of age) students may stay in softshoes for multiple years, until they are ready for the controlled footwork of hardshoe dancing.
Practicing
1. How often should I practice?
Even if you're just starting out, practicing every day wouldn’t hurt. For a beginner, ten or fifteen minutes will do the trick, increasing your time as you learn more material. Usually by Novice, this has increased to an hour, and beyond that is up to each individual dancer.
This is not to say that every single Irish dancer practices every single day, even though they should. ;)
2. What should I be practicing?
Both choreography/full steps and technique should be practiced. Practice isn’t just to make sure you memorize your steps so your teacher won’t yell at you for forgetting the next week! ;) At-home practice is a very good opportunity to really drill home all of the technique issues that your teacher points out in class. Do not expect everything to be fixed in class - work hard during all of your practices to build muscle memory. Technique will be so much easier once your muscles are working for you!
3. What kind of floor should I practice on? Should I build a stage?
Do not, do not, do not practice on concrete or any other type of flooring with no "give" to it. As Irish dancers tend to jump or pound against the floor, even in softshoe, what’s known as a "sprung" floor is needed. It is a typically wooden floor that will absorb the pounding and reduce injury.
It’s not all that difficult to make, either! While some studios use special materials such as foam or cork to make their stages, a dancer at home could create a simple stage for themselves out of plywood and some 2x2s or 2x4s, or plywood and thick carpet padding.
4. What kind of music do you recommend practicing to?
The following CDs can be found at Celtic Merchant.
1. Sets and Solos Volume II by Olive Hurley. Highly recommended: this CD has every type of tune a Beginning and Continuing Irish dancer needs.
2. A Collection of Irish Dance Music by Mike and Merv. Accordion and piano – a class staple.
3. Dance to the Music by Mike Schaeffer (the “Mike” from #2). Another class staple.
4. Music for Irish Dance by Pat King with Brian Grant. Another, more lighthearted class staple.
5. One More Time by the Culkin School. A fantastic CD that gives the each dance in two or three different speeds, so a practicing dancer can work their way up to the proper speed.
6. Irish Dance World and 100% Pure Irish Dance – The Show by the Bradley Brothers. Bored of just the accordion? These CDs have “showy” music, while keeping with traditional tunes and tempos.
If you need help making the decision, I recommend the following CDs the most: Olive’s Sets and Solos, Culkin’s One More Time and for a little show, Irish Dance World.
Competition
1. Do I have to compete?
Though competition is the primary focus of many dance schools, students are not forced to compete. Competition is a great addition to any Irish dancer’s experience, and I encourage any dancer to give it a try.
2. When do I get to start competing?
When your teacher says you are ready! Typically, a dancer’s first feis has them dancing two steps of a beginners' reel, and two steps of the beginners' light jig.
3. What should I wear at a feis?
Beginning costumes usually consist of a blouse and pleated skirt for girls, or a nice shirt and dark pants for boys. Each school usually also has special beginning costumes, which may consist of a vest, cape, headband, embroidered skirt or cumberbund, or other options. Your teacher will know what you should be wearing.
4. Where can I find out about competitions in my area?
Again - your teacher is the answer! If you are in an An Coimisiún school in North America, you can go to the NAFC site; in Ireland, An Coimisiún’s site.
Performances
1. Do I have to perform?
No - if you don’t want to perform, you usually do not have to - though it’s great fun!
2. When do I get to perform?
This varies depending on the school. Some schools do performances all year 'round, while others wait only for Saint Patrick’s Day, or have special performing companies of higher-level dancers. Most schools, however, encourage their new students to participate in dance-outs and parades.
Shoes and Costuming
1. What’s so special about Irish dancing shoes? Can’t I just wear ballet slippers and tap shoes?
Ballet slippers are often worn by beginners, but more experienced dancers do move on to the commonly accepted Irish dancing ghillies. They compliment the "look" of the dancing quite well.
As for tap shoes, there are a few reasons why you'll rarely see these on Irish dancers. First of all, the sound they make is different than the currently commonly-accepted sound of fiberglass tips and heels. Second, the shape of the shoe is very different than a hardshoe. A hard has a heel that can be clicked from the sides as well as the bottom, and thus is far more versatile than a typical tap shoe heel. Also, hardshoes have toe pieces that are wedge-shaped, and so the foot "sits" very differently in a hardshoe than in a tap shoe.
2. Do I need Irish dancing shoes right away?
Not usually. Most dancers start out with ballet slippers.
3. What shoes do you start learning to dance in first?
Softshoe dances are learnt first, because honestly, dancers need to learn the basics without having to worry about making noise or wearing clumsy shoes on top of it all!
4. Do you really need an expensive costume to dance?
Certainly not. Beginners have their own simple costume, and school costumes aren’t as expensive as new solos. Once your get to higher levels, used solo costumes can be found in good condition for a wide array of prices depending on what you're looking for. Dance Again is a good site to find used costumes.
Online Community
1. Are there more websites like Diochra.com for me to browse through?
While there’s no one quite like Diochra.com, there are a few great sites with their own fun! My personal favorites are Dancing in Eire (no longer updated), Siamsa (the first great Irish dance site and the 1999 inspiration for Diochra.com, no longer updated), and The Irish Dance Place.
2. I'd like to find other dancers/parents/dressmakers to talk to online. How do I do that?
Check out our Message Board Directory. Dance Again also has a fabulous list!
3. What are some general "netiquette" rules I should follow while conversing with other people on the internet?
Here are a few good rules to get you started.
1. "Lurk" - or view without posting - on a new board for awhile to get a feel for the board and for the type of people who post there. You'll be able to assimilate better if you do.
2. Don’t type in all-capital letters. This is regarded as shouting, and is therefore rude.
3. Ignore spelling mistakes. Correcting them is not proper netiquette.
4. If you are posting the same message to multiple boards ("cross-posting"), make note in your message that you are doing so. Most people visit many different Irish dancing boards, and this shows that you acknowledge they may have to read it more than once, which is an annoyance for some, and hardly a bother for others.
5. Do not post private information that the party concerned may not want made public. This includes but is not limited to competitive placements, personal problems, and the like.
6. Feel free to debate, but don’t turn things ugly. Name-calling isn’t welcome anywhere.
For more rules concerning email, message boards, and chat conversations, visit Learn the Net: Netiquette, The Core Rules of Netiquette, and Basic Netiquette Rules.